MIDLAND, MI — For the past few years, Great Lakes Bay Region residents were asking for Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles, even though they couldn't get them.

The shingles are made at a Dow manufacturing facility in Midland, and had been installed on model houses by Freeland-based Cobblestone Homes.

"People asked for them all the time," said Mark Wahl, co-owner of Cobblestone Homes. "It's something this area has been looking forward to."

On Monday, Dec. 3, Dow announced the shingles, that work as a roof covering as well as an electricity generator, would be available in Michigan, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Louisiana. Dow had previously launched the product in Colorado, Texas and California.

Powerhouse solar shingles will be available for new homes exclusively through Cobblestone. Dearborn-based Kearns Bros. is the authorized dealer for the re-roofing market.

The company said the cost of a Powerhouse roof is incorporated into the price of building a new home. In the renovation market, the cost of the array depends on the size of the home, and a variety of other factors. A Powerhouse system on a Michigan home with a 3,000-square-foot roof would cost about $29,110 and increase the home's value by $24,750, according to Dow.

Arrays range in size from two to four kilowatts, which would be large enough to offset 20 percent to 70 percent of an average home’s energy consumption.

The exact amount of solar energy captured per day depends on location, weather and orientation of the home.

Powerhouse Shingles are backed by a 20-year warranty, and have seven certifications for product performance and safety including certifications for the solar module, as well as fire and uplift or wind resistance.

Wahl said he sees the release of the Powerhouse shingles as the tipping point of the Great Lakes Bay Region's solar potential.

In the 1800's lumber dominated the region's economy, as did the auto industry over the next century. But now, Wahl said, is the time for advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

"It's a fantastic time for the Great Lakes Bay Region and Michigan," he said.

The Dow Powerhouse manufacturing facility, where shingles first rolled off the line in late 2011, received $141 million in tax credits from the state.

Since it's debut, the Powerhouse shingle has been getting a lot of recognition: This year it was a recipient of a Breakthrough Award by Popular Mechanics, and a Gold Edison Award for Best New Product. Time magazine named the shingles as one of the top 50 inventions of 2009.

“We’re expanding availability to Michigan because of the great potential for residential solar adoption, and the strong interest in products made right here in this state,” said Dan Pezolt, Dow Solar Commercial Director, “Dow is extremely proud to be manufacturing this product in Midland, which has generated a lot of local interest and demand for Powerhouse."

"It is also a smart investment, allowing homeowners to protect against future energy expenses while feeling good about using the clean and abundant energy from the sun to power their home,” Pezolt said.

Despite Michigan's unpredictable weather, there is plenty of sunshine to make the Powerhouse shingles a viable energy option.

Wahl said homeowners with a Powerhouse roof can generate immediate savings and start receiving a return on their investment the first day.

Owners with Powerhouse Solar Shingles also qualify for a federal tax credit and other incentives.